tunasub | stop eating grass seto

[ So maybe Shin couldn't actually eat anymore. That was fine and expected; he'd been fully aware of the consequences of assuming a virtual form when he did it. But he could still remember how to cook and the taste of food and certain dishes. Day by day, spending time with the other few people that shared this little spaceship cabin, he was beginning to remember more about what humanity was really like - before Glass Cage and the human empathy project, before he learned about everything. And little by little, he was starting to open back up again. When they'd celebrated his birthday unexpectedly, he'd been pleasantly surprised - a feeling he hadn't had since that night on Tokyo Tower. But, moreover, he wasn't just pleased; he was grateful. That never happened.

Towards Seto, he especially felt gratitude. After all, he already owed him a great deal. Thus, for once, the bitter Shin felt like he ought to do something for someone, and that would be why he's in the kitchen, apparently making noodles. Just udon noodles.

Maybe he wasn't great at it, but he might as well try. ]

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[ You're Shin and I love you a lot.

His eyes widen at that statement, staring at Seto like he grew a second head. Seto loved him?

Just for that? For something he didn't remember doing - something he hadn't done yet? It made no sense.

And yet he'd raised this boy. The real Shin, with his empathy. He'd known whatever feelings Seto had been feeling, accepted him and raised him anyway, and with these results. These had to be his honest feelings. If they weren't, he wouldn't have kept him around. He'd known him like this. Just like this...

Shin is quiet for a moment, eyes softening as he looks at the boy. Then, hesitating, he lifts up one ghostly hand before placing it on top of Seto's head. The life with Sai he couldn't have. The child he couldn't raise. Everything he'd missed seemed to be coming back now. ]

... I'm sure that he knew it. Thank you... Seto.

[This kind of affection was rare growing up. It was something that happened from time to time, only when he seemed to feel at his lowest and it would immediately cheer him up. Now isno exception. In fact, those words and the feeling of Grandpa's hand on his head makes him almost want to cry again. Thankfully for Shin, he can hold it back. He's too overwhelmed by how happy he is.

Shin's reaction is all he needs to feel comfortable releasing his hand and turning slightly. Within moments, he has both his arms wrapped around him, standing on his tiptoes as high as he can go. Yes, Shin. It's hug time and you will never escape.]

I'm so glad. Thank you, Shin.

[ He stiffens up at the contact, hands hovering a little awkwardly behind Seto. It wasn't that he hadn't expected this, but the situation was still so surreal - especially for him. It shouldn't be happening. If it were up to him, it wouldn't be. But Seto seemed convinced that Shin was Shin was Shin. And considering he was the one with the memories, it felt wrong to deny that he was right.

Hesitantly, he returns the embrace, just barely putting his arms around Seto. Ghostly hug for sure. ]

[It's enough for him. All he ever wanted was to have the chance to be with his grandpa and tell him all the things he never said while he was alive. Shin could probably tell that he's elated. So beyond happy his big head could float all the way into space.

While he was lonely most of the time living with grandpa, he was never unhappy. The old man took care of him and helped him. The best moments were when they were together, like this, though he wasn't affectionate and Seto could count on his fingers the number of times it happened.]

I'll still call you Shin. That's your name and that's...who you are now.

[He starts after a few seconds of silence, still holding onto him.]

But I will always love you like Grandpa and I'll protect you.

[ It still feels wrong to him. Whatever semblance of morality he had left, whatever was in the process of growing back, was quite determined on feeling guilty about this. However, it was hard to push Seto away when he was obviously so happy, even for Shin. He lets his hands rest a little awkwardly on Seto's shoulders, clearly uncertain on what he should do. It wasn't that he didn't like kids, if Seto could still be called one - back before Glass Cage, he'd been quite fond of them, actually. But it had been years and years since he'd touched anybody, or even wanted to, and vice versa. Until that night on the tower with Sai, he hadn't even had the faintest inkling of any sort of positive emotion. In a word... he was rusty. Emotionally.

And this is all a little overwhelming. That not one, but two people could say that they loved him, even now... If he looked up at Shin's face, he'd see him with a rare expression - one of vulnerability and caution and, just barely, gratitude. What can he even say to that? ]

... Thank you. [ he answers a little lamely. He wasn't old enough to be called Grandpa, anyway. Or he didn't feel like it. ]

stop eating grass seto

this is too precious i don't even know if I'm happy or sad

ALL MY SALAMI OH M YGODkF:LAKF:LAFKAFiei on the ground noo

/lies on the ground with your salami

be sure to treat it nicely

oh my god seto is so cute i'm going to throw up all my organs